English Dub Review: Shenmue the Animation “Shackles”

Overview

To further pursue Lan Di, Ryo decides to go to Hong Kong but realizes he does not have enough money to go. With Goro’s assistance, Ryo gets a part-time job, which he soon learns is that it just so happens to be the territory of a Gang called “The Mad Angels”…


Our Take

Ryo’s journey to Hong Kong has begun, but anyone with a brain knows that even in the 1980s, ticket prices aren’t cheap. This leads to an Iconic portion of the first game’s storyline called “the Forklift arc”, as Ryo gets a job at the Yokosuka Port driving a forklift which ironically nowadays you need an actual license for. However, Ryo working there consequently draws attention to the Mad Angels as it just so happens to be on their turf. Guizhang from Master Chen’s group is supposed to continue tailing Ryo, but because of the phoenix Mirror being found, and the connection to Lan Di’s cartel, it’s too dangerous to step in for business reasons.

It was quite entertaining to see more of that street thug Goro and his backstory which was interesting, I don’t remember him ever mentioning anything about a deadbeat father in the games, so I think this was a change added in the anime. Also, I liked seeing Nozomi make an effort to help Ryo and giving her a decent explanation as to why she would be caught as opposed to the game just kidnapping her when the Mad Angels would probably have no clue who she even is…

Overall, This episode delivered in spades in terms of action and suspense while giving a lot of side characters a chance to shine. Most importantly. It felt like Ryo had a lot of time to just breathe here while introducing new characters such as Mark who had his own subplot going on whom I’m sure will have relevance to the plot as his later revealed intentions, knew how to keep me hooked with that cliffhanger.